NICOLA Sturgeon took a ministerial limousine from the BBC headquarters in Glasgow to the STV studios next door.

The First Minister in waiting was among 15 Cabinet members who opted to use the official vehicles for paltry distances on 34 occasions over a four-week period during the summer.

She used her car to travel between the two TV studios just 500 yards apart on the southern bank of the River Clyde on June 2.

Yesterday, a Scottish Sunday Express reporter completed the journey on foot in less than four minutes.

Ministers also regularly travelled between their offices in St Andrew’s House and the Scottish Parliament half-a-mile away.

Sports minister Shona Robison even took a limousine between the SECC and the BBC’s Pacific Quay headquarters on the opposite bank of the river – despite the two venues being linked by a footbridge.

The “embarrassing” journeys were uncovered by the Liberal Democrats who said the SNP were failing to practise what they preached about tackling climate change.

Business manager Alison McInnes added: “It is ridiculous that SNP ministers are adding to their own climate change woes by using ministerial cars for such short journeys.

"For four years running Scotland has missed its carbon emissions reductions targets.

"Meanwhile, SNP ministers are using ministerial cars for journeys where you’d often be quicker walking.

“For example, these government figures show that Nicola Sturgeon took a ministerial car from one TV studio in Glasgow to a TV studio which was next door to it.

“Many other SNP ministers used the cars as a lavish shuttle bus service from their offices in St Andrew’s House to the Scottish Parliament building only minutes away.”

For four years running Scotland has missed its carbon emissions reductions targets. Meanwhile, SNP ministers are using ministerial cars for journeys where you’d often be quicker walking

Alison McInnes

She said the journey between Holyrood and St Andrew’s House took about 10 minutes on foot and continued: “While there may be occasions where this is needed, ministers should make every effort to reduce these journeys where possible.

"The SNP Government needs to walk the walk on climate change if we are serious about meeting these important targets.

“In light of the frustrating news that Scotland has once again missed these important climate change targets, it seems the very least the minister could do next at his climate change statement next Tuesday is walk from his office to the parliament.”

Among the worst offenders was Health Secretary Alex Neil who used a ministerial limo on nine occasions between June 3 and June 26.

Derek Mackay MSP, minister for local government and planning, used an official vehicle for two separate trips, one for 0.6miles and the other for 1.1miles, on July 3.

His colleague, Youth and Training Secretary Angela Constance used the service to return to Holyrood from nearby St Giles Cathedral.

Foreign affairs minister Humza Yousaf also needed a lift twice on June 26 travelling from the Scottish Parliament to the Museum of Scotland and onwards from the museum to Edinburgh Castle.

Eben Wilson, director of TaxpayerScotland, said the use could be “almost justified” in the case of the most recognisable cabinet members such as Ms Sturgeon and Mr Swinney.

However, he added: “It is grand to live the high life but common sense tells us that stately cars are expensive to use and also make us unfit.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We continually look for ways to minimise the use of cars for official journeys and our aim is to ensure the Government car service is delivered in the most cost-effective manner, offering the best deal to the taxpayer.

"When practicable Ministers car share, use public transport or walk to their engagements.”